With the first sim completed today we saw every team play 3 games except Germany and Russia who both played 2. Let's take a look back at some of the action and then we will preview what's to come on the day 2 sim! (April 12th).

Yesterday I highlighted a few interesting upcoming games in the first sim.

Day 1 Highlighted Game:


The tournament started off with   Japan @ Latvia   - This is Japan's first year in the big tournament and they have a young squad that has a lot of fans already.

Game 1 did not disappoint the crowd as Latvia won 7-5 win over the Japanese. Japan outshot Latvia 39-35. The first period started out with Parker Smeb of Japan scoring their teams first ever goal assisted by Martijn Westbroek and Airi Yamaguchi. Latvia stormed back to go up 7-3 and Japan scored two goals in the last 1:13 of the game to make it finish 7-5.



Game Link Here

Day 2 Highlighted Game:


The next day I was looking forward to the European battle of the    UK vs Ireland   . These two always battle hard and I knew it would be a close game. The game was tied heading into the 3rd period and the UK were out-shooting Ireland 23-18. But the 4 time defending champion Irish put their foot on the gas in the 3rd period out shooting UK 13-7 and scoring twice to take the game 3-1.



Game Link Here

Day 3 Highlighted Game:


Day 3 I highlighted the newly named Czechia squad facing off against    Norway. Czechia    had come in with 2 straight wins and won this game 3-1 in pretty convincing fashion. Not even stud Norwegian goalie Tommy Tuck was enough to hold off the 31 shots Czechia fired on him. Norway managed only 21 total with 11 through the first 2 periods. Special teams were the story as Czechia went 2 for 7 on the PP and Norway 0 for 2.



Game Link Here

Day 4 Highlighted Game:


Finally on Day 4 saw a battle between    Canada and Germany    after Germany eliminated Canada last year. This game was amazing and really lived up to the hype. Canada won 4-3 in a shootout after outshooting the Germans 43-40. Germany showed some real strength coming back from a 3-0 Canada lead just 12 minutes into the game. But in the end veteran star Luke Atmey had the lone shootout goal and Canada took it.



Game Link Here



TOMORROW'S SCHEDULE:



Day 5 Highlighted Game:  Russia vs Austria! Big game for these two as Russia is 1-1 and Austria 2-1. It should be a battle to the end for the 4 playoff spots in each group. This game will be a thriller.

Day 6 Highlighted Game:  Czechia vs USA! The Americans are absolutely dominating so far and have won all 3 games in regulation scoring 18 goals and only 3 against total.

Day 7 Highlighted Game:  Finland vs Latvia! Finland is 2-1 and being led by their star Challenge Cup winning defenseman Tatu Mäkelä. Latvia is always tough this should be great.

Day 8 Highlighted Game:  Russia vs Sweden! Sweden hasn't won a game yet in 3 and really looks to make a statement tomorrow.


Hot Players:

Standings: